A Las Vegas police officer and his wife are accused of carrying out a fraud scheme in which they allegedly bought gift cards, luxury goods and electronics using their own credit cards, then falsely reported the cards stolen in an attempt to recover the money while retaining the purchases.
Antonio Chavez, 28, and Claudia Guzman-Marquez appeared in court on September 10. Judge Rebecca Saxe ordered their release under monitoring and declined prosecutors’ request that Chavez be required to post $100,000 in cash bail.
According to an arrest report, the purchases included Louis Vuitton handbags, Apple electronics and designer clothing. Investigators allege that the scheme operated from May 25 through August 3 and involved efforts to defraud stores and credit card companies for financial gain. Prosecutors also alleged that the couple conspired with another person in California.
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Gift Card Purchase Triggered the Investigation
The investigation began in June after the security director at Town Square Las Vegas reported a large gift card purchase. Investigators later obtained Chavez’s credit card records and identified several large purchases and attempted transactions, some of which had reportedly been declined because they were considered unusual activity.
According to the arrest warrant, Chavez claimed that his credit card had been stolen before one of the gift card purchases. Investigators, however, said images and witness accounts placed him at the transaction.
Chavez also reported to Henderson police that a bag containing his cards had been stolen. Investigators further alleged that both Chavez and Guzman-Marquez signed sworn dispute affidavits through remote notarisation to support claims seeking refunds for the disputed transactions.
Judge Orders Release Under Electronic Monitoring
Prosecutors argued that Chavez understood the law and had admitted knowingly violating it. They sought a hearing to establish the legitimate source of any bail funds and also requested house arrest.
Defence attorney Robert Draskovich asked the court to release Chavez without cash bail, citing his cooperation, lack of a criminal record and absence of previous failures to appear.
Judge Saxe said the nonviolent nature of the charges did not require monetary bail. Chavez was placed under electronic monitoring and restricted to Clark County.
Guzman-Marquez, who told the court she was six months pregnant, was assigned a GPS-tracking phone and ordered to remain in the Las Vegas area. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court on October 8.
Police Officer Suspended Without Pay
Chavez was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on September 9. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s arrest announcement listed one theft charge involving between $25,000 and $100,000, four counts of burglary of a business and one count of perjury.
The department said Chavez had worked for LVMPD since 2020 and was assigned to the Community Safety Division at Northwest Area Command. His police powers were suspended without pay pending the investigation.
The allegations against Chavez and Guzman-Marquez have not been proven in court, and both are presumed innocent.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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